wp.org search vs our merit ranking: “gpdr”
wp.org orders by popularity, so a plugin a host bundled onto millions of sites, or a big-brand one that's slow and mediocre, can sit at the top. Our ranking is built to answer a different question: which of these is actually worth installing. How this works →
For “gpdr”, we agree with wp.org on the top plugin, and our order differs from theirs on 8 of the top 17. 3 plugins are pushed down for signals wp.org ignores: errors, a host-installed base, or removal risk.
wp.org search ranks on
Install count (uncapped), the raw star average, freshness, and support. Popularity dominates, so the biggest install base usually wins regardless of how it got there.
We add
A cap on the install boost, volume-weighted ratings, and signals wp.org can't see: whether it throws errors on current PHP, whether the install base is organic or host-pushed, and its risk of being pulled.
Ranked above its merit
File Manager, Code Editor, and Backup by Managefy shows at wp.org #7 but places #14 on merit, a gap of 7 places. Its 50+ installs carry it up the search order; its 5.0★ average from 1 reviews, plus freshness and upkeep, place it lower on our volume-weighted scale.
Buried gem
Appointment Booking Calendar places #8 on merit, 4.2★ from 92 reviews, but shows at wp.org #13. A smaller install base keeps it further down the default search order than its quality signals alone would.
Machete 6K+ · 5.0★ (52)
wp.org #1 2 
Real Media Library: Media Library Folder & File Manager 100K+ · 4.8★ (297) not PHP-current
wp.org #3 1 too low 3 
GDPR Data Request Form 5K+ · 4.9★ (14) thin reviews
wp.org #2 1 too high 4 
WP Mobile Menu – The Mobile-Friendly Responsive Menu 70K+ · 4.7★ (256)
wp.org #8 ↓1 4 too low 5 
Real Category Management: Content Management in Category Folders 2K+ · 4.1★ (17) not PHP-current thin reviews
wp.org #5 6 
Real Thumbnail Generator: Efficient regeneration of thumbnails in all sizes 1K+ · 3.7★ (15) not PHP-current thin reviews
wp.org #4 2 too high 7 
CP Contact Form with PayPal 800+ · 3.8★ (65)
wp.org #11 4 too low 8 Appointment Booking Calendar 1K+ · 4.2★ (92) not PHP-current
wp.org #13 ↓1 5 too low 9 
Passster – Password Protect Pages and Content 10K+ · 4.2★ (60) throws errorsnot PHP-current
wp.org #9 ↓1 10 
Booking Calendar Contact Form 500+ · 3.6★ (32)
wp.org #14 ↓1 4 too low 11 
GDPR Compliance & Cookie Consent 4K+ · 2.7★ (10) thin reviews
wp.org #6 5 too high 12 
Web Accessibility Compliance by Equally AI 50+ · 5.0★ (3) thin reviews
wp.org #15 ↓1 3 too low 13 
GDPR Settings for WooCommerce 200+ · 5.0★ (2) closure risk thin reviews
wp.org #12 ↓2 1 too high 14 File Manager, Code Editor, and Backup by Managefy 50+ · 5.0★ (1) thin reviews
wp.org #7 ↓1 7 too high 15 
Bandeau Cookie : RGPD/GPDR Cookie Consent 30+ · 5.0★ (1) closure risk thin reviewsstale but ranked
wp.org #10 ↓1 5 too high 16 
Online-Results Cookie Manager — · 0.0★ (0) closure risk thin reviews
wp.org #16 ↓1 17 
GDPR ✔Check 40+ · 0.0★ (0) throws errorsnot PHP-currentclosure risk thin reviews
wp.org #17 ↓1 Merit ranking caps the install boost at 1M (wp.org leaves it uncapped), replaces the raw star average with a volume-weighted Bayesian score and a Wilson lower bound, and keeps wp.org's own freshness and compatibility decays. Method from the plugin-directory source; see Meta Trac #8298. Positions are tracked daily from the first visit to a keyword, so the small arrows show movement since tracking began.